Atletico say they don’t want Cazorla

After a summer of speculation, Atletico Madrid say they’re not interested in signing Santi Cazorla.

The newly crowned Spanish champions have been looking to boost their squad, and the Spanish international has been one of the names frequently mentioned.

However, their president, Enrique Cerezo, told Radio Marca, “Many names have been mentioned, but none of those players, neither Cazorla, Callejon, Torres nor Chicharito are on our agenda.”

Cazorla himself reiterated his desire to stay in London recently, saying, “I’m very happy at Arsenal, I’ve got two more years here on my contract. Arsenal is great for me.

“I’m happy to be here at the moment and focus on that.”

The last month of the transfer window usually sees things hot up, and while it would be a surprise to Arseblog News to see something happen with Santi, we all know by now you can’t ever rule anything about 100%.

People seem to have forgotten just how good he is (and just how good he was in 2012-13), in the pre-Ramsey/Ozil days. Phenomenal player, probably the best close control in the team. Like Ozil, he thrives on runners in front of him (Walcott stayed fit in 2012/13, Santi thrived. Gervinho was an outlet too, as was Poldi).

I think he seemed jaded at times. He’s had to carry a lot of creative responsibility for us (and played loads of games) add that to the insane travelling for friendlies with Spain and their constant involvement in summer tournaments and you’ve got a recipe for underperformance. He should be well rested and come back strong next season (if he does’t leave).

Name one player who does not receive unjustified flak from our fans. Our fan base is probably the most fickle of all. Be it santi, giroud, ramsey, wilshere, poldi, sagna, sanogo, walcott or ozil, we don’t give concessions to anyone.

You missed out on Diaby, Monreal, Gibbs, Arteta, Flamini, Kos, Verm, Mert etc
I think the Ox is the only player(who’s been at Arsenal for over 2 seasons) not to have ever been on the end of prolonged criticism from our fans.

Quintero is younger and cheaper so there’s space for him to grow without somehow having to shoehorn him into the side. Also, the rivals for Fabregas’ position are a lot younger (Ramsey, Wilshere, Ox, Zelalem) whereas Quintero would probably take over from Santi/Poldi/Rosicky on that side so it’s a more natural progression.

Mind you, this is all predicated upon the assumption that we’re in for him at all. For all you know, it’s the big rumour meltdown that is indicative of a signing…except that the signing is someone else entirely and hidden behind the big smokescreen.

There are very few players, that make you smile when they play. Cazorla is that type of player. A joy to watch. Has the vow factor and has those beautiful Messi-usque feet.
Plus one of the only few in our team that can shoot from distance and take a mean free kick.
And THAT Free kick!
I want my Santi to stay!

Santi is like Brian Marwood on the wing on the wing but with lasers and machine guns and close control and all the things that in the 1980s were sheer fantasy. I would love it if he stays. But really, he symptomises how the Arsenal have changed under AW. If Santi goes then actually I think we’d be able to get excited about a new talent that Mourhino didn’t know about.

I commented on this ridiculous story, dreamed up by the Spanish press to try and get some ball rolling when it came out – Santi doesn’t want to go, we don’t want to sell him and they can’t afford him, otherwise it’s all true.

Many players are linked to Arsenal because we are a good bench mark to be pegged to.

Does not mean most of them are even targets.

Consider MVila, Gustavo, Wayama, Mitrogolou, Samba, all media announced antedotes to our slide from fourth spot that frannkly never happened and all of whom have not exactly covered their careers in glory since to suggest we should have even bothered.

At the same time, this Santi rumour started because the media believed that we were in the market for another dwarf sized midfielder in Quinetro, again pegged to us to increase his valuation.

Nada.

We need in priority terms now ;

1) Cback

2) IF Khedira price is an opportunity bc we face less competition this summer from other big teams, we sign a DM in place of Arteta early. No Scheniderlin otherwise. We have enough in artetea/Flammini to hold till next summer plus the new Cback may be able to cover at DM and of course we will be also developing Chambers

3) If Wenger feels Sanogo is still yet to find his feet after pre-season, then I expect he may dip in late for a cheap but effective striker to cover for any possible Giroud injuries.

The last thing we need is another midfielder and there are plenty who will face the exit next summer (Podlski, Rosicky) before even Santi’s name comes up. Having said that, I suspect the Sanchez move is in part to cover this eventuality.

We have 2 world cup strikers that leads their team apart from Giroud, if Sanogo isnt fit.. I bet my monthly bar expense AW moves Alexis or Joey to front.

Our real pressing need right now is getting that 3rd/4th backup CB that isnt Silvestre/Squillacci level that willing to accept their role.

Getting a DM that can play at CB is bonus right now.. depending on how the team build this season.. I doubt a destroyer type is really what we need.. thats just the bullshit that have been feed to us as fact.